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21 Sep 2021, 03:42
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1. It can be inferred from the passage that the mortality caused by agents such as predatory birds or parasites was measured in an attempt to
(You are being asked to infer WHY the mortality caused by agents such as predatory birds or parasites was measured. Remember, you can only infer a piece of information from the content provided in the passage.)
A. develop an explanation for the existence of lepidoptera population cycles This can be inferred from this sentence: “The common approach of studying causes of population cycles by measuring the mortality caused by different agents, such as predatory birds or parasites, has been unproductive in the case of lepidoptera.”
B. identify behavioral factors in lepidoptera that affect survival rates This cannot be inferred. The mortality caused by agents has nothing to do with survival rates
C. identify possible methods for controlling lepidoptera population growth This cannot be inferred. Controlling population growth was not the intention.
D. provide evidence that lepidoptera populations are self-regulating This cannot be inferred. If the populations were self-regulating then the ecologist would not bother finding out about birds or parasites.
E. determine the life stages of lepidoptera at which mortality rates are highest This cannot be inferred. No such indication
2. The primary purpose of the passage is to
(You are being asked WHY the author has written this essay. What was the intention? Remember, the answer cannot contradict what has been mentioned in the passage. Nor can it refer to something that has not been addressed in the passage. The answer also cannot be referring to a small aspect of that was mentioned in the passage; it needs to be more holistic.)
A. describe the development of new techniques that may help to determine the driving force behind population cycles in lepidoptera The technique to detect viral DNA has been briefly referred to, but this is not the primary purpose of the passage
B. present evidence that refutes a particular theory about the driving force behind population cycles in lepidoptera The only theory that has been presented about the population cycles is that it may be regulated by an agent that is more intimately connected with the insect tan are birds or parasites. This fact has been confirmed, not refuted.
C. present a hypothesis about the driving force behind population cycles in lepidoptera The first line of the second paragraph – “Recent work suggests that…” – implies that the researchers are presenting a hypothesis and the first line of the last paragraph says, “one of the attraction of this hypothesis.” this confirms that a hypothesis about the driving force behind population cycles in lepidoptera has been presented.
D. describe the fluctuating patterns of population cycles in lepidoptera It has been mentioned that there are fluctuating patterns in the population cycles. But these patterns have not been described. Even if they had been described, doing so is not the primary purpose
E. question the idea that a single driving force is behind population cycles in lepidoptera As mentioned in Option B, this is not being questioned; it has been confirmed.
3. According to the passage, before the discovery of new techniques for detecting viral DNA, population ecologists believed that viral diseases
(You are being asked what has been mentioned in the passage about what population ecologists believed about viral diseases before new techniques for detecting viral DNA was discovered. Remember, the answer must be stated in the passage; make sure that you don’t choose options that can be inferred.)
A. were not widely prevalent among insect populations generally This has not been mentioned
B. affected only the caterpillar life stage of lepidoptera The passage does not refer to the life stage at which the caterpillar is affected by the virus
C. were the driving force behind lepidoptera population cycles They did not think it was the driving force. They only thought it contributed to the decline.
D. attacked already declining caterpillar populations This has been stated in the second sentence of the second paragraph
E. infected birds and parasites that prey on various species of lepidoptera No such reference has been made.
4. According to the passage, nuclear polyhedrosis viruses can remain virulent in the environment only when
(You are being asked what has been mentioned in the passage about WHEN nuclear polyhedrosis viruses can remain virulent in the environment. Remember, the answer must be stated in the passage; make sure that you don’t choose options that can be inferred.)
A. the polyhedrin protein crystals dissolve This has not been mentioned in the passage.
B. caterpillar populations are in decline This has not been mentioned in the passage.
C. they are present in large numbers This has not been mentioned in the passage.
D. their concentration in a particular area remains low This has not been mentioned in the passage.
E. they are sheltered from direct sunlight The second paragraph says that “if protected from direct sunlight, they may remain virulent for many years in the environment.”
5. It can be inferred from the passage that while inside its polyhedrin protein crystals, the nuclear polyhedrosis virus
(You are being asked to infer WHAT happens when the virus is inside the polyhedrin protein crystal. Remember, you can only infer a piece of information from the content provided in the passage.)
A. is exposed to direct sunlight This cannot be inferred from any sentence in the passage.
B. is attractive to predators This cannot be inferred from any sentence in the passage.
C. cannot infect caterpillars' cells The second paragraph says that “Once ingested by a caterpillar, the crystals dissolve, releasing the virus to infect the insect’s cells.” From this we can infer that the virus cannot infect the caterpillars’ cells unless the crystal dissolves.
D. cannot be ingested by caterpillars This cannot be inferred from any sentence in the passage.
E. cannot be detected by new techniques of molecular biology This cannot be inferred from any sentence in the passage.
6. Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the author's conclusion in lines 18-22?
(The simplified conclusion is that an agent intimately connected with the insect causes population fluctuations. You are being asked to identify which option will show that an agent intimately connected to the agent does not necessarily cause the population fluctuation.)
A. New research reveals that the number of species of birds and parasites that prey on lepidoptera has dropped significantly in recent years This option strengthens the conclusion. Since other potential agents have decreased, this increases the probability that an agent like the virus may be the driving force.
B. New experiments in which the habitats of lepidoptera are altered in previously untried ways result in the shortening of lepidoptera population cycles This introduces new evidence that something else, i.e., the alteration in habitat, may be responsible for the shortening of lepidoptera population cycles.
C. Recent experiments have revealed that the nuclear polyhedrosis virus is present in a number of predators and parasites of lepidoptera. This may be so but this does not change the link between the virus and lepidoptera. We can still say that even if the NP virus is present in the predators, an agent closely connected to lepidoptera is responsible for the short population cycles.
D. Differences among the habitats of lepidoptera species make it difficult to assess the effects of weather on lepidoptera population cycles This option is telling us that although it is possible that weather may affect population cycles or be the driving force, there is no way for us to be sure. This does not definitively weaken.
E. Viral disease is typically observed in a large proportion of the lepidoptera population. This option only tells us a little more about the presence of viral diseases. It doesn’t tell us anything about the causal relationship.
Nitha Jay
(You are being asked to infer WHY the mortality caused by agents such as predatory birds or parasites was measured. Remember, you can only infer a piece of information from the content provided in the passage.)
A. develop an explanation for the existence of lepidoptera population cycles This can be inferred from this sentence: “The common approach of studying causes of population cycles by measuring the mortality caused by different agents, such as predatory birds or parasites, has been unproductive in the case of lepidoptera.”
B. identify behavioral factors in lepidoptera that affect survival rates This cannot be inferred. The mortality caused by agents has nothing to do with survival rates
C. identify possible methods for controlling lepidoptera population growth This cannot be inferred. Controlling population growth was not the intention.
D. provide evidence that lepidoptera populations are self-regulating This cannot be inferred. If the populations were self-regulating then the ecologist would not bother finding out about birds or parasites.
E. determine the life stages of lepidoptera at which mortality rates are highest This cannot be inferred. No such indication
2. The primary purpose of the passage is to
(You are being asked WHY the author has written this essay. What was the intention? Remember, the answer cannot contradict what has been mentioned in the passage. Nor can it refer to something that has not been addressed in the passage. The answer also cannot be referring to a small aspect of that was mentioned in the passage; it needs to be more holistic.)
A. describe the development of new techniques that may help to determine the driving force behind population cycles in lepidoptera The technique to detect viral DNA has been briefly referred to, but this is not the primary purpose of the passage
B. present evidence that refutes a particular theory about the driving force behind population cycles in lepidoptera The only theory that has been presented about the population cycles is that it may be regulated by an agent that is more intimately connected with the insect tan are birds or parasites. This fact has been confirmed, not refuted.
C. present a hypothesis about the driving force behind population cycles in lepidoptera The first line of the second paragraph – “Recent work suggests that…” – implies that the researchers are presenting a hypothesis and the first line of the last paragraph says, “one of the attraction of this hypothesis.” this confirms that a hypothesis about the driving force behind population cycles in lepidoptera has been presented.
D. describe the fluctuating patterns of population cycles in lepidoptera It has been mentioned that there are fluctuating patterns in the population cycles. But these patterns have not been described. Even if they had been described, doing so is not the primary purpose
E. question the idea that a single driving force is behind population cycles in lepidoptera As mentioned in Option B, this is not being questioned; it has been confirmed.
3. According to the passage, before the discovery of new techniques for detecting viral DNA, population ecologists believed that viral diseases
(You are being asked what has been mentioned in the passage about what population ecologists believed about viral diseases before new techniques for detecting viral DNA was discovered. Remember, the answer must be stated in the passage; make sure that you don’t choose options that can be inferred.)
A. were not widely prevalent among insect populations generally This has not been mentioned
B. affected only the caterpillar life stage of lepidoptera The passage does not refer to the life stage at which the caterpillar is affected by the virus
C. were the driving force behind lepidoptera population cycles They did not think it was the driving force. They only thought it contributed to the decline.
D. attacked already declining caterpillar populations This has been stated in the second sentence of the second paragraph
E. infected birds and parasites that prey on various species of lepidoptera No such reference has been made.
4. According to the passage, nuclear polyhedrosis viruses can remain virulent in the environment only when
(You are being asked what has been mentioned in the passage about WHEN nuclear polyhedrosis viruses can remain virulent in the environment. Remember, the answer must be stated in the passage; make sure that you don’t choose options that can be inferred.)
A. the polyhedrin protein crystals dissolve This has not been mentioned in the passage.
B. caterpillar populations are in decline This has not been mentioned in the passage.
C. they are present in large numbers This has not been mentioned in the passage.
D. their concentration in a particular area remains low This has not been mentioned in the passage.
E. they are sheltered from direct sunlight The second paragraph says that “if protected from direct sunlight, they may remain virulent for many years in the environment.”
5. It can be inferred from the passage that while inside its polyhedrin protein crystals, the nuclear polyhedrosis virus
(You are being asked to infer WHAT happens when the virus is inside the polyhedrin protein crystal. Remember, you can only infer a piece of information from the content provided in the passage.)
A. is exposed to direct sunlight This cannot be inferred from any sentence in the passage.
B. is attractive to predators This cannot be inferred from any sentence in the passage.
C. cannot infect caterpillars' cells The second paragraph says that “Once ingested by a caterpillar, the crystals dissolve, releasing the virus to infect the insect’s cells.” From this we can infer that the virus cannot infect the caterpillars’ cells unless the crystal dissolves.
D. cannot be ingested by caterpillars This cannot be inferred from any sentence in the passage.
E. cannot be detected by new techniques of molecular biology This cannot be inferred from any sentence in the passage.
6. Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the author's conclusion in lines 18-22?
(The simplified conclusion is that an agent intimately connected with the insect causes population fluctuations. You are being asked to identify which option will show that an agent intimately connected to the agent does not necessarily cause the population fluctuation.)
A. New research reveals that the number of species of birds and parasites that prey on lepidoptera has dropped significantly in recent years This option strengthens the conclusion. Since other potential agents have decreased, this increases the probability that an agent like the virus may be the driving force.
B. New experiments in which the habitats of lepidoptera are altered in previously untried ways result in the shortening of lepidoptera population cycles This introduces new evidence that something else, i.e., the alteration in habitat, may be responsible for the shortening of lepidoptera population cycles.
C. Recent experiments have revealed that the nuclear polyhedrosis virus is present in a number of predators and parasites of lepidoptera. This may be so but this does not change the link between the virus and lepidoptera. We can still say that even if the NP virus is present in the predators, an agent closely connected to lepidoptera is responsible for the short population cycles.
D. Differences among the habitats of lepidoptera species make it difficult to assess the effects of weather on lepidoptera population cycles This option is telling us that although it is possible that weather may affect population cycles or be the driving force, there is no way for us to be sure. This does not definitively weaken.
E. Viral disease is typically observed in a large proportion of the lepidoptera population. This option only tells us a little more about the presence of viral diseases. It doesn’t tell us anything about the causal relationship.
Nitha Jay
30 Nov 2021, 03:38
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GMATNinja VeritasKarishma
Nuclear polyhedrosis viruses are hypothesized to be the driving force behind population cycles in lepidoptera in part because the viruses themselves follow an infectious cycle in which, if protected from direct sun light, they may remain virulent for many years in the environment, embedded in durable crystals of polyhedrin protein.
I have a few SC doubts.
1)What's the role "embedded in durable crystals of polyhedrin protein". Is it a verb-ed modifier? Can you explain the sentence structure?
2)Unable to understand if then condition - if protected from direct sun light, they remain virulent inside crystal - Is my understanding correct?
What will happen if they are exposed to direct sunlight? They will not remain virulent. I am not able to comprehend this sentence correctly. Please help.
Thanks!
Nuclear polyhedrosis viruses are hypothesized to be the driving force behind population cycles in lepidoptera in part because the viruses themselves follow an infectious cycle in which, if protected from direct sun light, they may remain virulent for many years in the environment, embedded in durable crystals of polyhedrin protein.
I have a few SC doubts.
1)What's the role "embedded in durable crystals of polyhedrin protein". Is it a verb-ed modifier? Can you explain the sentence structure?
2)Unable to understand if then condition - if protected from direct sun light, they remain virulent inside crystal - Is my understanding correct?
What will happen if they are exposed to direct sunlight? They will not remain virulent. I am not able to comprehend this sentence correctly. Please help.
Thanks!
01 Dec 2021, 00:56
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Sneha2021
No point focusing on SC using CR/RC questions. Language offers a lot of flexibility to authors to sufficiently express matters in every possible context. SC sentences are standalone and still need to make contextual sense to the reader. Hence, they are written with a lot of care. Also, the 5 options are a must because we can only say what is better, not what is correct or incorrect.
As for the role of "embedded...", yes it is past participle modifier. In GMAT SC questions we usually see present participle modifiers at the end of the clause, not past participle. But language allows us to use past participle too to modify the entire previous clause (or subject of previous clause). So would a past participle used this way be incorrect in GMAT SC, I cannot say. We will need to select the best of the 5 options.
2. Yes, if the viruses are protected from direct sunlight, we are told that they remain virulent for many years. If exposed to direct sunlight, it follows that they may or may not remain virulent. We cannot say that they will certainly not be virulent in case of exposure from this limited information. It will likely depend on how long it has been, how long was the exposure etc. All we know is that if protected from direct sunlight (by being embedded in durable crystals of polyhedrin protein), they will remain virulent for long.
